Durban is the Place to be!

Latest Reports show that Durban is the cheapest City to live in amongst the 3 Major South African Cities. There is so much to love about Durban, the endless summers, warm Indian Ocean, mild winters and now according to research website Numbeo, Durban is the cheapest city in South Africa. Especially in these tough […]

Latest Reports show that Durban is the cheapest City to live in amongst the 3 Major South African Cities.

There is so much to love about Durban, the endless summers, warm Indian Ocean, mild winters and now according to research website Numbeo, Durban is the cheapest city in South Africa. Especially in these tough economic times, it is great to know that you can get more out of your rand by living in our beautiful city.

According to an article featured on bdlive.co.za if you live in Durban‚ you pay less on rent‚ eating out and groceries than you would in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Apartment rentals in Cape Town are 50.8% higher than in Durban‚ restaurant bills are 6.5% higher and groceries cost 8.9% more‚ according to a database of user-contributed price information from cities and countries worldwide published by Numbeo.

“You would need around R32‚000 in Cape Town to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with R27‚624 in Durban‚” Numbeo says.

The cost-of-living comparison between Johannesburg and Durban shows that rentals in Johannesburg are 23.32% higher‚ restaurant bills are 6.87% bigger and groceries cost 20.47% more.

Durban is the cheapest major city to live in South Africa – Picture Credit – Keshlan Nadasen Photography

According to the Numbeo database‚ residential rentals are 22.69% higher in Cape Town than in Johannesburg. However‚ groceries in Cape Town cost 9.29% less than in Johannesburg.

A gym club membership for one adult in Cape Town comes in at R470.50 a month, compared with R452 in Durban and R424 in Johannesburg. Smaller centres have all three cities beat‚ though.

Going to the gym costs up to R150 a month less in Bloemfontein than in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The database shows that rentals in Bloemfontein are 47% lower than in Johannesburg, restaurant bills are 10.60% lower and groceries cost 7.34% less in Bloemfontein than in Johannesburg.

Getting down to specifics, a dozen eggs cost R5 more in Johannesburg than in Bloemfontein, while a local beer (500ml draught) will set you back R19.50 at a bar in Bloemfontein‚ compared with R23.50 in Johannesburg.

According to the database‚ rentals in Johannesburg are 47.19% higher than in Port Elizabeth, restaurant bills are 17.4% higher in the city of gold than in the friendly city and groceries cost 3.65% more inland than at the sea.

In monetary terms, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs R80 in Port Elizabeth and R110 in Johannesburg. For a mid-range three-course meal for two people‚ you pay R400 in Johannesburg and R375 in Port Elizabeth.

A regular cappuccino costs R21.34 in Johannesburg‚ while it is R19.74 in Port Elizabeth. Milk‚ bread and eggs are‚ however‚ more expensive in Port Elizabeth than in Johannesburg, and a Port Elizabeth resident pays R25 for a domestic beer. The average Johannesburg resident spends R1‚049 a month on utilities (water‚ electricity‚ refuse)‚ while Port Elizabeth residents spend R848‚ the data show.

Our City at Night – Picture Credit – Keshlan Nadasen Photography

“You would need around R32‚090 in Johannesburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with R28‚000 in Port Elizabeth (assuming you rent in both cities)‚” says Numbeo. Overall‚ the cost of living in SA is very reasonable, with the country ranking as the 19th cheapest place to live in. The cheapest is India.

Numbeo data show that the cost of living in SA is 51% lower than in the US‚ using aggregate data for all cities. It is cheaper than even small-town America: Rent prices in Johannesburg are 36.8% lower than in Bath‚ New York (population 12‚000)‚ while restaurant prices are 49.8% cheaper in Johannesburg compared to Bath‚ New York. Johannesburg residents spend 57% less than Bath residents‚ the database reveals.